Wayne Rooney is set to miss next week's England games against Germany and Lithuania but Manchester United team mate Marcus Rashford will make the squad.

Rashford's inclusion for the friendly in Dortmund on Wednesday and World Cup qualifier at Wembley four days later puts the Football Association on collision course with United boss Jose Mourinho as the forward is still likely to be included in the Under 21 squad for this summer's European Championship.

Manager Gareth Southgate looks likely to leave out Rooney when he announces his squad on Thursday due to concerns over a knee injury. Rashford will remain in the senior set-up despite initial plans for the striker to drop down to the under 21s.

Wayne Rooney is set to miss next week's England games against Germany and Lithuania

Manchester United team mate Marcus Rashford will make the squad named on Thursday

Rashford's inclusion could set the FA up for conflict with United manager Jose Mourinho

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Southgate has a selection headache in attack with injuries to Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge. He was keen to have captain Rooney available but England's all-time leading goalscorer misses United's clash with Rostov on Thursday night, meaning Southgate has no option but to select Rashford.

There was a willingness to see Rashford drop down a level for Under 21 manager Aidy Boothroyd's first game in charge against Germany next week.

It remains to be seen whether Southampton duo Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse, who are both on the fringes of the senior squad, get their first full call-ups or remain with the Under 21s.

Rashford's senior call-up will be of huge interest to Mourinho who said in October: 'If he's an Under 21 player in the national team, then he is an Under 21 player and there is no discussion about that. But if he becomes a regular choice for Gareth Southgate in the first team, then we have to speak because we don't want him going to the Under 21 Euros.'

Manager Gareth Southgate looks likely to leave out Rooney when he announces his squad

Despite Mourinho's protestations, the plan remains for Rashford to go to Poland this summer.

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is also set for an international recall as a reward for his improving form under Ronald Koeman. Barkley has not featured in an England squad since Euro 2016, when he was unused by Roy Hodgson.

Southgate has checked on the fitness of midfielder Jack Wilshere after he lost his place in the Bournemouth starting XI. In his search for back-up up front, Southgate may look to Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck and Jermain Defoe.

Harry Kane's ankle injury has opened a space up in the squad for Rashford to fill

Southgate is also in need of cover at left back with Danny Rose unavailable through injury. Ryan Bertrand will step up with Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Cresswell also in contention.

Rooney's likely omission, coupled with the absence of vice-captain Jordan Henderson through injury, means Gary Cahill and Joe Hart are in line to wear the armband.

Cahill is suspended for the World Cup qualifier so he is likely to captain the side against Germany. Hart will then take over against Lithuania.